This chapter was rather hard to write.
When I started Sparkleland, I knew I was fighting an
uphill battle. So many people didn’t want to give Mitchell a chance. Those
willing to invest in his backstory have learned to empathize with him more than
they thought they could — or so I’ve been able to determine by responses from
readers. But here we are at his huge mistake, his total downfall.
Click here to read Say Goodbye to Sparkleland, Chapter 20.
I think it is so easy for us as humans to draw lines in the
sand when it comes to pointing fingers when someone does something wrong.
Second chances aren’t always easy — to receive or to offer. When someone
crosses the line, too often, they aren’t ever given a second chance.
Not that I’ve had any real-life interactions with someone
released from prison who has turned their life around, but when I see or read
those stories, they move me in incredible ways. Such challenges are not easy.
There are way too many people who don’t want to give someone with a criminal
background a second chance.
And here’s Mitchell. He knew he blew it. He knew he made the
biggest mistake of his life. It probably isn't too hard to relate. Not that everyone has cheated (and I don't mean to imply that) but everyone has probably done something they truly regret. Mitch's indiscretion was big, but all of us wish we could do something
over.
So, when I wrote this chapter, I knew it had to be painful.
Just as when Jakob (in a drunken state) encountered his sister at the art fair, this chapter had to
cut deep just like that. If we don’t feel Mitchell’s pain, we can’t give him a
second chance. We can hate that he made the mistake — we can hate the mistake
itself — but it is up to us to see if we are able to forgive him.
I think of Aiden here, being the bigger person to forgive
Slater in Soulmate. Aiden often said, “Everyone deserves forgiveness.”
Now we’ll see among the readers who can do so.
No matter how many more books I might write — if any! — I won’t
do a background story again. Jakob’s was very hard to do in Ascension: Jakob’s
Ladder. But I had given so much of his background details in the previous
book, Hi, I’m Lance. I had to go back and flesh it out. Even Laramie’s
past was touched upon in Coffee at 9, so that all had to fit into Book
Six. This is the third time I’ve had to let the past “catch up.” It’s
challenging and demanding and draining. Not that we won’t ever learn about characters’
backgrounds. We will. That’s just vital to a story. I just won’t align canon so
strictly.
What really excites me now is the second arc of the book can
begin. What happens post-Cooper? I’ve made teases, but now the fun begins. I
hope you enjoy it.
I will be interested in what kind of responses you get. I haven't really said anything on this blog before, but I've been very entrenched in this story.
ReplyDeleteI am Mitch. Or, he is me.
I didn't have nearly the specific reason he did to cheat. I was just tempted and foolishly did it. Like Mitch, I hated myself for a long time. I lost several friends because of it. I didn't do therapy or anything like that, I just felt like an asshole for a long time. I still feel terrible, and it has been four years. It took me a long time before I could even ask anyone else out.
I've been following along with you to see if you may him "pay" or if you let him love again.
Mitchell attending the AA meeting was a great way for themes of addiction and impulse control (that recur throughout your stories) to intersect. Step by step Mitch is approaching maturity, he's accepting responsibility.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how broad or specific your definition of Sparkleland is, but saying goodbye seems a high price to pay for a healthy adulthood? Hopefully the treatment for impulse control is less severe than that for alcoholism.
I was brought to tears, but not by Mitch's heartbreaking situation and devastation over the loss of Cooper. The wet eyes started with Noel's sharing about her mother and their last conversation. I see how Mitch easily related to her having difficulty forgiving herself. Mitch's loathing and self-deprivation will take its toll on his psyche. Regardless, readers are hopeful for his eventual recovery and success in future relationships. Since he still loves Cooper, seems, although difficult, he could bring himself to invest in their friendship.
ReplyDeleteT.
Wow - what an installment! I wonder where you will take this. What I see is Cooper over time becoming some sort of super-human saint. Yeah, he had a drinking problem which he overcame. But he is still just a man. What I see is Mitchell beating himself up for what he did but not addressing the root of the problem which is Cooper did not meet all of his needs. Of course he could have handled it better by talking to Cooper but I have some sympathy for the difficulty of telling a saint that they aren't perfect. It's something Logan should address, maybe he is in his mysterious note taking.
ReplyDeleteIs that a complement to a writer or what - that your characters are real enough to elicit such speculation?
R.
At last someone who isn't a prissy hypocritical queen who condemns cheating, yet does it anyway. Cooper played a part in it. That's the dirty little secret these readers have over someone who isn't even alive. Mitch gets my vote as a great person. If readers don't think so then it's their issues and they need to keep feeding the coffers of the Shrinks. Team Mitch. Forever. Oh and I still feel Laramie has some sort of forgiveness thing towards Mitch, hopefully that will enrage the queens if he does forgive Mitch over cheating on Cooper.
DeleteI agree I’d love to explore Laramie and Cooper’s forgiving Mitch. A friend of mine had the same situation but both he and his new husband didn’t want to let go of the ex. It took a couple of years but they are all friends now. It’s up to people to forgive cheating or not but it’s no one else’s business that person’s decision.
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